Apparatus for managing cables

ABSTRACT

The invention, in one embodiment is a cable management device. The device includes an elongated tray having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface further comprises a notched section continuous with the first surface; and a first end on the notched section distal from the first surface. The second surface further is continuous with the first surface and angularly disposed relative thereto and has a second end. The device also includes a cover attachable to the first end and to the second end.

This application is related to the co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 08/987,005, filed on Dec. 8, 1997 and entitled Method forManaging Cables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates in general to the field of cable and conduitmanagement and, more particularly, to the organization and distributionof computer cables or other similar items.

2. Description of Related Art

Computer systems, for example, personal computers, servers, etc., may becoupled to peripheral and other devices for communicating informationsuch as data, commands, addresses, etc. through a multitude of cables.Oftentimes these cables lay about in a haphazard or dangerous fashion.Cables strewn about a room in disarray offer ample opportunities fortripping over, for damaging the equipment to which they are connected,or for harming other equipment in close proximity. Moreover, cableslaying in disarray may make it more difficult and time consuming to finda particular cable or circuit for equipment maintenance periods orduring system downtimes. To avoid these problems, most of the currentsolutions to cable management and organization employ rings or trays ofrectangular cross-section that hold the cables in place. These designswork well in some situations, but in some cases they are less thanadequate, such as when it is desirable to substantially hide the cablesor when space is limited.

Many times cables in offices are simply dropped down corners of wallsand "zip-tied" together. A rectangular cross-section tray design may notfit snugly into an area (e.g., a corner) where cables will run, or mayrequire too much space down the length of one side of an area to besufficiently usable.

Another use of rectangular cable trays is to hide cables between areaswhere network drop boxes provide RJ-45 or other types of ports to plugin network cables. With rectangular boxes, the ports are either on theside of the tray where it is sometimes difficult to identify portnumbers, or on top of the tray where it is easier for garbage to fallinto the ports.

Thus, there exists a need for a cable management system which will avoidor reduce these problems, fit well into a confined space, beunobtrusive, and also provide for easy positioning of cables into andout from the system at particular required locations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention, in one embodiment is a cable management device. Thedevice includes an elongated tray having a first surface and a secondsurface. The first surface further comprises a notched sectioncontinuous with the first surface; and a first end on the notchedsection distal from the first surface. The second surface further iscontinuous with the first surface and angularly disposed relativethereto and has a second end. The device also includes a coverattachable to the first end and to the second end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view representation of a device in accordancewith a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 along line 2--2therein.

FIG. 3 is a sectional exterior view representation of portions of thedevice in FIG. 1 along line 3--3 or line 3'--3' in FIG. 1 in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is another end view illustrating a cable exiting the device inaccordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is another sectional exterior view representation similar to FIG.3 with the cable exiting the device as in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a device similar to the device in FIG. 1in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is an end view representation similar to the view along line 7--7in FIG. 6 in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart representation of a method in accordance with anembodiment of the invention.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by wayof example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It shouldbe understood, however, that the description of specific embodiments isnot intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed,but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In theinterest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation aredescribed in this specification. It will of course be appreciated thatin the development of any such actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers'specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a developmenteffort, even if complex and time-consuming, would nevertheless be aroutine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure.

A First Embodiment of the Invention

FIG. 1 shows a perspective representation view and FIG. 2 shows an endview along line 2--2 in FIG. 1 of a cable management device 10 inaccordance with a first embodiment of the invention. The cablemanagement device 10 has a somewhat triangular cross-section. The cablemanagement device 10 includes a tray portion 11 having a rear surface orsegment 12 angularly disposed relative to a bottom surface or segment 14which, in this particular embodiment, are continuous with each other atapproximately a right angle. Angles other than a right angle may beemployed in alternative embodiments.

The cable management system 10 also includes a removable cover 16 whichmay be affixed at snapable or bendable edges 17a and 17b to both upper13 and lateral 15 edges of the tray 11 which are located distally fromthe surfaces 12 and 14, respectfully. The edges 17a and 17b of the cover16 are curved and snap or fit over a portion of the upper 13 and lower15 ends of the tray 11 over the full length of the elongated tray 11 inthe embodiment illustrated. In alternative embodiments, the cover 16need not cover the full length of the tray 11 provided that theuncovered portion is relatively insubstantial relative to the coveredportion.

Referring also to FIG. 3, which shows a sectional exterior view ofeither the rear surface 12 or the bottom surface 14, surface 12 iscontinuous with section 18 and section 18 is continuous with section 19.Likewise, surface 14 is continuous with section 20 and section 20 iscontinuous with section 21. Sections 18 and 19 are angularly disposedwith respect to each other at approximately a right angle in thisparticular embodiment. Sections 20 and 21 are similarly angularlydisposed with respect to each other. Sections 18 and 20 are alsoangularly disposed with surfaces 12 and 14, respectively, formingapproximately a right angle in this particular embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the notches (or openings) 22 and 23 are definedbetween tabs (or teeth) 24 and 25, which are continuous with and formpart of the notched sections 19 and 21, respectively. The notches 22, 23and the tabs 24, 25 may be of sufficient size in the sections 19 and 21to allow one or more cables to be routed into or out of the tray 11through the notches 22 and 23 in an organized fashion as will bedescribed below. Moreover, the tabs 24 and 25 of the sections 19 and 21are of sufficient strength to support cables 26 when they are passedthrough the notches 22 and 23.

Referring now to FIG. 4, cables 26, which may be a plurality of cables,are arranged or distributed along the length of the tray 11, and theremovable cover 16 is shown in its closed position on the tray 11 overthe ends 13 and 15. The cover 16, when attached to the tray 11, willhide the cables 26 except where the cables 26 exit or enter through thenotches 22 or 23 (not directly shown in FIG. 4). In certain embodiments,only one set, or neither set, of notches 22 or 23 is included in thedevice 10 (i.e., one section, either 19 or 21 may have no openings andthe other section does) as set forth below.

The cable management device 10 may be made of plastic, for example,electrically insulating plastic. The combined height of the surface 12and the section 19, and the combined width of the surface 14 and thesection 21, may each be approximately two to three inches, although itis possible that other dimensions could be used. Moreover, the length ofthe tray 11 may be from approximately a few inches to approximatelyseveral feet long. As will be appreciated by those in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure, the actual dimensions of the device 10 willdepend on the particular embodiment being implemented. Further, althoughthe surfaces 12 and 14 are continuous by virtue of their construction,they may be separate pieces fixedly joined by any suitable technique.The surfaces 12 and 14 are continuous by their integral constructionwhether they be of one piece or two. Moreover, the edges 17a or 17b ofthe cover 16 may instead be affixed to either one of the ends 13 or 15of the sections 19 and 21, respectively, by a suitable hinged mechanismwhile the unhinged other edge may be snapped over the end 13 or 15 nothaving the hinged mechanism affixed.

Referring to FIG. 4, the device 10 may be positioned in a corner 30between a floor 32 and a wall 34 of a room (not shown). The ideal anglebetween the floor 32 and the wall 34 will typically be square or 90degrees. Hence, the angle between the surfaces 12 and 14 will generallybe preferred to also be square. However, the angle between the floor 32and the wall 34 will seldom be ideal, and the angle between the surfaces12 and 14 need not exactly conform to the angle between the floor 32 andthe wall 34. The angle between the surfaces 12 and 14 therefore needonly substantially approximate the angle between the floor 32 and thewall 34.

The cables 26 within the tray 11 of FIG. 4 may be, for example, a bundleof ten to twenty network cables (e.g., CAT-5 networking cables) or couldbe smaller cables, such as computer monitor, keyboard, or mouse cables,optical fiber, etc. FIG. 4 also shows one of the cables 26 exitingthrough one of the notches 22 in the section 19. FIG. 5 shows asectional exterior view similar to FIG. 3 with one of the cables 26exiting through one of the notches 22 or 23 in the sections 19 or 21,respectively. The openings 22 and 23 in the sections 19 and 21 of thecable tray 11 allow any of the cables 26 to be routed in and out of thetray 11. More than one of the cables 26 could come out of any one of thenotches 22 or 23, depending on the size of the notches 22 or 23, thesize of the cables 26, the requirements set by or for a particularimplementation, or according to the wishes of a user.

In use, the tray 11 could easily fit horizontally along the length ofthe corner 30 formed between the floor 32 and the wall 34 of the room orvertically along the length of the corner between two walls, or betweena ceiling and the wall, of the room. For example, the rear surface 12could be mounted to the wall 34 and the fixed bottom surface 14 could bemounted to the floor 32 of the room with screws (not shown) in thesurfaces 12 and 14. Pre-tapped screw holes could be provided or screwhole locations could be indicated in the surfaces 12 and 14 (not shown).

The device 10 could be available in various lengths to fit a given walllength or height in a room, or be connected in lengths with triangularjunction boxes (not shown) in between pairs of lengths. The device 10could be designed to allow a clean junction at room corners, forexample, with corner junction boxes (not shown) for coupling the cables26 to another device 10, another cable 26 termination point, or for thecable 26 to be routed outside the device 10 for coupling elsewhere.Moreover, in certain embodiments, the device 10 could be designed withan angle, for example, a right angle, in the tray 11 and cover 16 suchthat the angle would fit in the corner of the room and the device 10would itself function as a junction box. In this case, the angle wouldbe about a vertical axis parallel to the surface 12.

A Second Embodiment of the Invention

In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, shown in aperspective view in FIG. 6, a device 10' includes a tray 11' and a cover16' having ports or connectors 27 (e.g., network ports). The tray 11'may be similar to tray 11 in the device 10 with the notches 21 and 22 insections 19 and 21, or one or both sets of the notches 19 and 21 may beomitted (not shown). The device 10' is otherwise similar to the device10. The ports 27 in the cover 16' may be, for example, RJ-45 networkports, RJ-11 ports, GPIB ports, serial or parallel ports, DB-9 or DB-25connectors, or 34 or 50 pin, or other connectors for connecting networkcables external to the device 10' to the cables 26 (which may be networkcables) which are carried within the device 10', as shown in FIG. 7 inan end view (with the cover 16' closed).

In FIG. 7, one of the cables 26 is shown coupled by a connector 28 tothe port 27 and an external cable 29 is also coupled by a connector 29ato the port 27 so that signals may be passed between the cables 26 and29. Such an implementation, as shown in FIG. 7, facilitates cableconnection with the cables 26 to completely contain them within thedevice 10'.

One use of the triangular cable devices 10 or 10' could be to hidenetwork or other cables 26 that are run along the corners between walland floor or ceiling, or to hide the cables 26 running up and downcorners between walls. Another use of the devices 10 or 10' could be tomount it under the working surface of a desk. This would allow the userof a workstation or computer to route monitor, keyboard, mouse, network,or other cables 26 through the trays 11 or 11' and drop them to theworkstation or computer, or to a network port. Moreover, the devices 10or 10' could help clear up a tangle of cables beneath the desk. Thedevices 10 or 10' could also be used anywhere where a port-like devicewould need to be routed on a semi-permanent or permanent basis.

Referring to FIG. 8, a flowchart representation of a method inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown. In use, thetriangular cable trays 11 or 11' may be mounted as in block 102 againsta wall, floor, desk, other piece of furniture, etc. (e.g., with screws).The cables 26 may then be placed and arranged as in block 104 into thetrays 11 or 11', as needed, for a particular implementation. If theopenings 22 or 23 in the sections 19 or 21 of the cable trays 11 or 11',respectively, are to be used as in block 106 to pass cables, the cables26 may be routed as in block 108 into or out of the trays 11 or 11', asneeded, for further connection. Various sizes of the notches 22 or 23could be available in different trays 11 or 11' and could be chosen fora particular implementation based on what type of cable (or cord orhose) 26 is to be routed into or out of the trays 11 or 11'. Once thecables 26 have been routed into or out of the trays 11 or 11', or ifthey are only to be placed and arranged in the trays 11 or 11' (i.e.they are not to be routed), the covers 16 or 16' may be closed as inblock 114 on the trays 11 or 11'.

Alternatively, if the ports 27 of the device 10' are to be used in theimplementation (with or without the notches 22 or 23 being present) toconnect, as in block 110, the cable 26 (or more than one cable 26), thecable 26 may be connected, as in block 112, to the port 27 (e.g., usingthe appropriate cable 26 connector 28 which is complementary to the port27). Hence, the cable 26 may be connected to or through the port 27 andto the cable 29 external to the cover 16' for further connection toequipment external to the device 10', or for termination.

The type of port 27 could vary depending on what type of cable 26 (orcord or hose), or connection is necessary, sufficient, or preferable forthe particular implementation. Moreover, some ports 26 may beinterchangeable, and if the device 10' includes the notches 22 or 23,these may also be used, in similarity to implementations using device 10as described above. Once all cables 26 are positioned, routed, orconnected, or if the ports 27 (device 10') are not used to connect thecables 26, or if the ports 27 are not included (e.g., device 10), thecovers 16 or 16' may be positioned as in block 112, as discussed, on thetrays 11 or 11' to close the devices 10 or 10'. This may be accomplishedby snapping or bending the edges 17a and 17b of the covers 16 or 16'over the ends 13 and 15, respectively, of the sections 19 and 21 asdiscussed.

In certain embodiments, the somewhat triangular cross-section of, forexample, the device 10' may allow port numbers, which may be indicatednear the ports 27, to be easily read for identification by a standingperson. This is possible because the cover 16', when the tray 11' isclosed, is aligned at an angle (e.g., a 45 degree angle to vertical).The somewhat triangular cross-section of the device 10' may also make itless likely that items (e.g., garbage, dirt, etc.) would fall into theports 27. A small shield (not shown) could be included which preventsthese items from falling into the ports.

Remarks

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theinvention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. For instance, the invention may be used to manage manyforms of flexible, nonflexible, or partially flexible elongatedtransmission media such as coaxial cable, twisted wire pairs, opticalfibers, etc., or combinations of all the above. Furthermore, nolimitations are intended to the details of construction or design hereinshown, other than as described in the claims below. It is thereforeevident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be alteredor modified and all such variations are considered within the scope andspirit of the invention. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is asset forth in the claims below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cable management device, comprising:anelongated tray having a generally triangular cross-section, the trayincludinga first surface with a first end section, the first surfacehaving a horizontally disposed section continuous with and substantiallyperpendicular to the first surface and the first end section, the firstend section having notches; a second surface with a second end section;and a third surface continuous with and substantially perpendicular tothe first and second surfaces.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein thesecond end section comprises notches oriented substantiallyperpendicular to the second surface.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein athe tray is adapted to support at least one cable and said notches inthe second end section are adapted to route a cable into and out of thetray.
 4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a cover adapted toconnect to the tray at the first and second end sections.
 5. The deviceof claim 4, wherein the cover comprises at least one port, said at leastone port adapted to couple to a cable supported by the tray.
 6. Thedevice of claim 5, wherein said at least one port electrically couplesto the cable.
 7. The device of claim 5, wherein said at least one portoptically couples to the cable.
 8. The device of claim 4, wherein thecover comprises electrically insulating material.
 9. The device of claim1, wherein the tray is adapted to support at least one cable and saidnotches are adapted to route a cable into and out of the tray.
 10. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the tray comprises electrically insulatingmaterial.